Italy’s ambitious plan to process asylum seekers in Albania hit a roadblock when a court in Rome ruled that 12 out of 16 migrants sent to Albania must be returned to Italy. The migrants, primarily from Egypt and Bangladesh, were deemed unable to be sent back to their home countries due to safety concerns.

Challenges to Italy’s Migration Policy

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni’s initiative to establish detention centers in Albania has faced criticism and legal hurdles. Her party, Brothers of Italy (FdI), plans to appeal the court’s decision, questioning the definition of a “safe country” for deportation.

Key Details of Italy’s Albania Migrant Plan

Rome’s strategy involves setting up detention centers in Albania, overseen by Italian authorities, to process up to 3,000 asylum seekers monthly. The scheme, costing €160 million annually, has garnered mixed reactions within the EU, with the European Commission endorsing it as an innovative approach.

Opposition and Future Prospects

Opposition leader Elly Schlein criticized the government’s plan, citing legal violations, while Meloni vowed to combat illegal immigration. Despite legal setbacks, other European nations, including Germany, are exploring similar off-shore detention solutions for migrants.